Book Review: The Planet by Robby Charters

The Planet by Robby Charters is based on a very interesting sci-fi story, where a comet is soon to hit the earth, and the space-lift landed at a wrong place.

What happens next…let’s find out.

Book Review: The Planet by Robby Charters

Let’s get this straight: The Planet isn’t the kind of sci-fi that have lots and lots of shiny tech or dangerous action. Instead, it asks you a very interesting question.

When the world is ending, who gets to survive?

And then it doesn’t let you look away.

At first, the book kind of feels calm. The pacing here is kind of on the slower side, but not boring. You know something terrible is gonna happen, and the book refuses to rush it.

This is very much a character-driven story.

• Dr. Walter Bunta, the scientist no one listened to, is very realistic characters, being right doesn’t save him from loss.
• Father Pancho Villa is one of those rare characters who feels genuinely human.
• The kids, especially Rocky and Alex, are written very nicely.

Even side characters in the story feel relatable enough that when something happens to them, it actually lands.

“Please, God, either give me
superhuman strength, or give me another one to help.“

Storyline: So, The Planet starts off already letting you know that things are BAD. Like, world-ending bad. There’s a comet. Scientists know it’s coming. And society? Society is doing what it does best, protecting the rich. Love that for us.

The planet is doomed, but here’s the catch: the evacuation ship meant for the right people. The wealthy. The important. The “respectable.”

Then we see a series of very real humanish moments—people arguing, praying, lying, protecting kids, making selfish choices, making brave ones. That’s where the book hits hardest.

There are rules. Lists. “Respectable citizens.” And suddenly survival has a dress code and a tax record. Families are separated. Poor people are told to wait.

Short answer: yes. Yes, we are doing classism at the end too. Then… the planet ends.

Not in some dramatic, cinematic way. It just ends. Quiet. Final. People watch it happen. Parents die so their kids can live. Some people miss the ship by seconds. Seconds!!!

Everyone is alive, but no one is okay. Grief follows them into space. And to make things worse, guess what? The worst people survived too. Abusers. Extremists. People who thrive on power.

Because of course they did. But here’s the thing that absolutely got me: the kids. They protect each other. They form these lil alliances that feel more realish.

And that hit me right in the chest.

By the time the book ends, there’s no neat resolution. No promise that the new planet will be perfect. And I closed the book thinking:
That’s it? That’s the ending? Rude. Absolutely rude

Also Read: The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel

What I Loved

The book constantly asks: Is expanding an empire actually progress… or just ego?

• The writing is simple, clear, and surprisingly effective. Charters doesn’t over-describe or try to impress you with big sci-fi jargon.
• The pacing is excellent. Short chapters and shifting viewpoints are good for this kinda story.

Quotes:

“I’ll really have to have a talk with him sometime. The time’s not right yet.“

Also Read: The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick

Final Verdict?

Overall, The Planet by Robby Charters is a very good sci-fi sort of read…

Who should read it:

• If you are one like sci-fi that’s more about people than tech.
• If you enjoy end-of-the-world stories with depth.
• Readers who don’t need a happy ending.
• Fans of books like Station Eleven, The Road, or Seveneves

Books like The Planet:

• The Road — Cormac McCarthy
• The Book of M — Peng Shepherd

Author

Ashley

I’m Ash, a book lover who started reviewing in 2021 after realizing yelling about fictional characters into the void wasn’t enough. I read everything from messy romances to dark thrillers, and I’m here for flawed characters, emotional chaos, and plot twists. When I’m not reading, I’m probably baking or overwatering my plants.